Fabric splice apparatus

ABSTRACT

Overlapped fabric end portions define a fabric double layer. A plurality of loops are formed in the double layer extending alternately in opposite directions transversely of the double layer to define a transverse row of loops. Elongated substantially rigid rod means extends through the row of loops for splicing the fabric end portions together.

United States Patent [1 1 Alexeff [451 May 27, 1975 1 FABRIC SPLICEAPPARATUS [75] Inventor: Alexander V. Alexeff, Cleveland,

Ohio

[73] Assignee: Alexeff-Snyder Enterprises, 1nc.,

Cleveland, Ohio [22] Filed: July 5, 1973 [21] Appl. No.2 376,537

[52] US. Cl 139/28; 28/1 R; 139/11; 139/383 A; 156/502; 245/10 [51] Int.Cl. D03d 41/00; B65h 69/06 [58] Field of Search 139/28, 128, 383 A, 11;28/1 R, 72 R; 156/502, 158, 159; 140/3 R, 7; 245/10 [56] ReferencesCited UNITED STATES PATENTS 242,010 5/1881 MacLellan et a] 139/28 X877,904 2/1908 Carpenter 139/28 1,862,687 6/1932 Larsen 139/11 3,217,754ll/l965- Doerer et a1 140/3 R Primary Examiner-.lames Kee Chi Attorney,Agent, or Firm-Donnelly, Maky, R'enner & Otto 57 ABSTRACT Overlappedfabric end portions define a fabric double layer. A plurality of loopsare formed in the double layer extending alternately in oppositedirections transversely of the double layer to define a transverse rowof loops. Elongated substantially rigid rod means extends through therow of loops for splicing the fabric end portions together.

22 Claims, 23 Drawing Figures Fix-ran s MLMLU SHEET u mw mm 3 mm mm mmmm mm Om mm w 3 8 om 9 EHTEQ HAY 2 7 I915 SHEET m m ma m M. A l. f I Imm fl a. l 3 s nmuum s mew m e luulwp PATENTED M27 1975 i3. 8 85 596SHEET 6 302 BIG 3 8 330 334 332 FABRIC SPLICE APPARATUS BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION This application pertains to the art of fabric splicing,and to an improved apparatus and method for making a fabric splice.

Fabric is commonly processed by moving it in a flat condition through atreatment apparatus at high velocity. A leading end of a new fabric rollis commonly spliced to the tail end of a roll being processed in orderto provide a continuous operation.

Fabric used to manufacture vehicle tires is commonly moved under tensionthrough an oven for stress relieving the fabric yarns. Such fabric istensioned as high as 30,000 pounds and run through an oven at atemperature close to 500F. Fabric of rayon, nylon, polyester and othermaterials is commonly treated in this manner. The fabric commonly runsthrough the oven at rate of around 120 yards per minute. In order toprovide a continuous operation, approximately 250300 yards of fabric arestored in a storage accumulator ahead of the oven. When the tail end ofa fabric roll is spliced to the leading end of a new fabric roll, thefabric in the storage accumulator is fed through the oven. Stoppage ofthe fabric in the oven for a long period of time would ruin a section ofthe fabric and it would be necessary to rethread a fabric through theentire treatment apparatus.

Leading and tailing end portions of the fabric are commonly splicedtogether by the use of a high temperattire and high pressure vulcanizingpress. The leading and tail end portions of fabric are overlapping withunvulcanized rubber therebetween. The press closes to subject theoverlapped end portions and rubber to high pressure and temperature forvulcanizing the rubber and bonding it to the fabric. Making such afabric splice requires approximately 30-40 seconds to complete, notcounting preparation time. Certain fabrics, such as polyester, do notbond well to the rubber. Under the high tensions and temperaturesencountered, vulcanized rubber splices often have a tendency to fail.

Fabric splices of the type described are also commonly made by the useof multi-needle sewing machines. This requires a large number ofstitches, and preparation for the sewing operation takes considerabletime.

In prior splicing procedures of the type described, a large amount ofextra fabric must be stored in the storage accumulator to insuresufficient fabric for continuous travel through the oven while thesplice is being made. Any delay in making the splice will requireshutting down the rolls pulling the fabric through the oven until thesplice is completed. This will often ruin a large section of fabric inthe oven and may even require shutting down the apparatus in order torethread the fabric.

It would be desirable to have a way of making a fabric splice in a veryshort period of time while maintaining high strength for the tensionforces encountered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A fabric splice of the type described is madeby overlapping the leading and tail fabric end portions to define afabric double layer. A plurality of loops are formed in the double layerextending alternately in opposite directions transversely of the doublelayer to define a row of loops. Substantially rigid elongated rod meansextends through the row of loops for splicing the fabric end portionstogether.

In the preferred arrangement, a plurality of loop rows are provided, andelongated substantially rigid rod means extend through each loop row.

For wide fabrics, the substantially rigid rod means may be inserted intothe loop rows from both side edges of the double layer so that the rodswill overlap at their inner end portions in each loop row.

The improved apparatus constructed in accordance with the presentinvention includes clamping means for transversely clamping the fabricdouble layer in longitudinallyspaced locations. The apparatus includesloop forming means on opposite sides of the fabric double layerintermediate the clamping means for forming a plurality of loops in thedouble layer extending alternately in opposite directions transverselyand longitudinally of the double layer to form a plurality oftransversely extending loop rows. In a preferred arrangement, theapparatus further includes reciprocating rod inserting means forinserting elongated substantially rigid rods through the loops.

In accordance with one arrangement, the rod inserting means includes aguide support for supporting a plurality of rods in substantiallyparallel spaced-apart relationship. The rod inserting means includes apusher reciprocable toward and away from the fabric double layer forpushing the rods longitudinally along the guide support into the looprows. In one arrangement, the guide support includes a plurality ofspaced-apart elongated rod receiving grooves and the pusher includes aplurality of spaced-apart pusher fingers received in the grooves.Preferably, rod guide means is provided above the guide support forholding the rods in the grooves as the pusher moves the rodslongitudinally relative to the guide support. The guide means maycomprise a plurality of spaced-apart plates pivotally mounted above theguide support on axes extending substantially parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the fabric. The plates have bottom edges positionedclosely above the grooves.

The improved apparatus includes opposed platens positioned on oppositesides of the fabric double layer. Each platen includes a plurality ofspaced-apart pairs of spaced-apart loop forming fingers. At least one ofthe platens is movable toward the other to overlap the fingers and formloops in the fabric double layer.

In accordance with a preferred arrangement, the platens include fabricholding bars for transversely holding leading and tail end portions offabric while the one platen moves toward the other to overlap the fabricend portions in a fabric double layer. The fabric holding bars areselectively movable outward and inward relative to their respectiveplatens so that a leading edge of a new fabric roll may be held to oneof the platens in preparation for making a fabric splice when the tailend of a fabric roll being processed is reached.

1 With the foregoing in mind, it is a principal object of the presentinvention to provide an improved fabric splice.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improvedapparatus and method for making a fabric splice.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fabric splice which canbe made in an extremely short period of time.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a fabricsplice which is capable of withstanding very high tension.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improvedapparatus and method for making a fabric splice in a highly simplifiedmanner.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent as the following description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the inventionthen, comprises the features hereinafter fully described andparticularly pointed out in the claims, the following description andthe annexed drawings setting forth in detail certain illustrativeembodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but afew of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may beemployed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the annexed drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a fabric splice made inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of a fabric processing apparatushaving the improved splicing apparatus of the present inventionincorporated therein;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view looking generally in the direction ofarrows 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional elevational view looking generally in thedirection of arrows 4--4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view looking generally in the direction ofarrows 55 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view looking generally in the direction of arrows6-6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional elevational view looking generallyin the direction of arrows 77 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional elevational view looking generallyin the direction of arrows 88 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 and showing another position of loopforming fingers;

FIG. 10 is an elevational view of one loop forming finger plate;

FIG. 11 is an elevational view of another loop forming finger plate;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged elevational view ofa single finger on fingerplates;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional elevational view looking generally in thedirection of arrows l313 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of a splice made with the finger plates ofFIGS. 10 and 11;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional elevational view looking generally in thedirection of arrows 15-15 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 16 is an end elevational view looking generally in the direction ofarrows l6l6 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional plan view looking generally in thedirection of arrows 1717 of FIG. 16; and

FIGS. 18 through 23 are diagrammatic side elevational views showing thesequence of operation of the improved splicing apparatus constructed inaccordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings,wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating a preferredembodiment of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting same,FIG. 1 shows a fabric splice A in a fabric double layer defined byoverlapping leading and tail fabric end portions 12 and 14 on flat wovenfabrics 16 and 18. Each end portion 12 and 14 may have a tabby 20 and 22in the form of tightly woven yarns for preventing unravelling of theyarns. Fabric double layer A has a longitudinal axis 24. Fabric endportions 12 and 14 overlap one another to define a substantiallyhorizontal lapping plane therebetween.

Fabric double layer A has a plurality of loops 26 and 28 extendingalternately in opposite directions transversely of longitudinal axis 24between opposite side edges 30 and 32 of double fabric layer A. In thepreferred arrangement, loops 26 and 28 also extend alternately inopposite directions parallel to longitudinal axis 24. Thus, loops 26 and28 define a plurality of loop rows extending transversely oflongitudinal axis 24, with the loop rows being spaced-apart from oneanother in a direction parallel to longitudinal axis 24. Each loop rowreceives an elongated substantially rigid rod 36. Rods 36 may be formedwith any suitable material, such as substantially rigid nylon or othersynthetic plastic material. Rods 36 extend alternately under and overloops 26 and 28 to provide a joint which looks like a laced splice. Whentension is applied to the fabric, the laced splice becomes tightly wovenwith rods 36 substantially pressing against one another. In a preferredarrangement, each loop row terminates at opposite side edges 30 and 32with loops extending in a common direction. Thus, the left hand loop rowin FIG. 1 terminates at side edges 30 and 32 with loops 26 extending ina common direction. The next loop row terminates at side edges 30 and 32with loops 28 extending in an opposite direction. This preferredarrangement enables a splice to develop maximum strength with minimumtwisting of rods 36.

With a splice of the type described, it has been found possible todevelop fabric tensions in the splice almost equal to the ultimatedesign strength of the fabric material itself. Rods 36 may be insertedfrom only one side edge of double layer A or from both side edgesthereof. For wide fabrics, it is desirable to insert rods 36 from bothside edges 30 and 32 of double layer A. With such an arrangement, eachrod 36 will have a length slightly greater than one-half the width ofdouble layer A. The inner end portions of the rods will then overlap ineach loop row near central longitudinal axis 24.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of a fabric processing apparatus forprocessing a roll of fabric B which travels in a flat condition throughthe apparatus in the direction of arrow 40. The fabric moves through animproved splicing apparatus C including automatic rod inserting devicesD constructed in accordance with the present invention. The fabric isfed by rolls 42 into a storage accumulator E. The fabric then travelsthrough idler tensioning rolls 44 into an oven F and is pulledtherethrough by rolls 46. Tensioning rolls 44 produce a drag on thefabric so that it is under considerable tension as it is pulled throughoven F by rolls 46. Rolls 42 feed fabric into storage accumulator E at afaster rate than it is pulled therefrom by rolls 46. The speeds of rolls42 and 46 are adjusted so that sufficient yardage of material will be instorage accumulator E when the tail end of fabric B approaches splicer Cso that a splice can be made while rolls 46 continue to pull storedmaterial from storage accumulator E.

In accordance with one arrangement, splicer C has a supporting frameincluding a plurality of spaced-apart upright legs 50. Pairs ofspaced-apart upper and lower box beams 52 and 54 are bolted, welded orotherwise secured to the inner surfaces of legs 50. A flat plate member56 is secured to the upper surfaces of upper beams 52. Plate 56 extendsoutwardly of beams 52 and may be braced by spaced-apart triangularbracing members 58 welded to the outer surfaces of beams 52 and to theundersurface of plate 56.

Bottom plates 60 are welded to the undersurfaces of upper beams 52 andspan each end pair of legs 50. A generally inverted trapezoidal-shapedroll supporting plate 62 is welded to the opposite ends of upper beams52 and bottom plates 60. Roll support plates 62 have bearing assemblies64 bolted thereto. Elongated rolls 66 are rotatably journaled inbearings 64. A bottom loop forming platen G having upwardly extendingloop forming fingers thereon is positioned on plate 56. (see FIGS. 4 and5).

Pairs of hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders 70 and 72 are secured to theundersurface of plate 56 adjacent the corners thereof. Cylinders 70 and72 have rods 74 and 76 extending through suitable holes in plate 56.Each rod 74 and 76 has a bifurcated member 78 and 80 secured thereto forreceiving a flattened portion 82 or 84 on elongated cylindrical fabricholding bars 86 and 88. Suitable pins extend through bifurcated members78 and 80, and flattened portions 82 and 84, for securing elongatedfabric holding bars 86 and 88 to cylinder rods 74 and 76.

Upper and lower box beams 52 and 54 have vertically-aligned holestherethrough for slidably receiving four vertically positionedcylindrical rods 92. A pair of rectangular plates 94 are bolted to eachpair of rods 92 beneath bottom plates 60. A pair of hydraulic orpneumatic cylinders 96 have cylinder rods-98 connected with plates 94 bymeans of a bifurcated member 102 receiving the bottom edge portion ofeach plate 94 and connected thereto as by pins 104. The upper endportions of rods 92 extend through suitable holes in rectangular platemember 106. A centrally located box beam 108 is welded or otherwisesecured to plate member 106. Rectangular end plates 112 are welded tothe ends of box beam 108 and to the ends of plate 106. The upper endportions of rods 92 are bolted to rectangular end plates 112. Triangularreinforcing plates 114 are welded to the outer surfaces of box beam 108and to the upper surface of plate 106. An upper platen H havingdownwardly extending loop forming fingers thereon is secured to plate106.

Hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders 116 and 118 are secured to the uppersurface of plate 106 adjacent the four corners thereof. Cylinders 116and 118 have rods 120 and 122 extending through suitable holes in platemember 106. Rods 120 and 122 have bifurcated members 124 and 126receiving flat end portions 130 and 132 on elongated cylindrical fabricholding bars 134 and 136. Suitable pins extend through bifurcatedmembers 124 and 126, and flattened portions 130 and 132, for holdingelongated fabric holding bars 134 and 136 to cylinder rods 120 and 122.

Elongated strips of rubber or other material may be secured to theupwardly facing surface of plate 56 and to the downwardly facing surfaceof plate 106 to provide holding surfaces for cooperation with holdingbars 86, 88, 134 and 136. Such holding strips are generally indicated bynumerals 142, 144, 146 and 148 (see FIG. 4).

In the arrangement shown and described, each pair of cylinders 70, 72,116 and 118 are connected for selective energization so that each fabricholding bar 86, 88, 134 and 136 can be individually extended orretracted. Upper platen H is shown in its maximum upward position.Selective energization of double acting cylinders 96 will lower platen Hfor cooperation with lower platen G.

As shown in FIG. 7, each platen G and H has a pair of transverselyextending longitudinally-spaced slots 152 therein receiving elongatedtransversely extending flat plate members 154 defining fabric clampingmeans. Platens G and H have threaded bores 156 intersecting slots 152and receiving cartridges 158 having coil springs 160 bearing againstfabric clamps 154 to yieldably bias fabric clamps 154 outwardly relativeto slots 152. Lower platen G has additional spaced-apart alternate pairsof transverse slots 162 receiving elongated flat spaced-apart fingerplates 164. Each pair of finger plates 164 has a plurality oftransversely spaced-apart fingers 165 thereon. The fingers on each pairof finger plates 164 are longitudinally aligned with one another. PlatenG includes a plurality of additional pairs of spaced-apart slots 166receiving spaced-apart elongated fiat finger plates 168. Finger plates168 have fingers 170 thereon which are transversely spaced-apart.Fingers 170 on each pair of plate 168 are longitudinally aligned withone another and are staggered relative to fingers 165 on plates 164.That is, fingers 165 are in alignment with the spaces between fingers170, and fingers 170 are in alignment with the spaces between fingers165. Elongated longitudinal bores 172 are formed through platen G.Finger plates 164 and 168 have 'holes 174 and 176 therethrough inalignment with bores 172. Clamp members 154 have vertically elongatedholes 178 therethrough in alignment with bores 172. Each bore 172receives a bolt of a bolt and nut assembly 180 which holds plates 164and 168 to platen G. The bolt extends through vertically elongated holes178 in clamps 154 so that clamps'l54 can move relative to the bolt.Platens G and H include tapped holes 180' for bolting the platens toplates 56 and 106.

Platen H has a plurality of longitudinally-spaced transversely extendingslots 182 aligned between pairs of slots 162 and 166 on platen G. Endslots 184 have a width for receiving one finger plate, while slots 182have a width for receiving two finger plates. Pairs of finger plates 164and 168 are positioned in each slot 182 so that adjacent slots haveadjacent pairs of finger plates 164 or 168 for cooperation with oneanother. Each pair of plates 164 and 168 on upper platen H arespaced-apart a greater distance than similar pairs of plates on lowerplaten G. Thus, pairs of plates 164 or 168 on lower platen G arerespectively receivable between pairs of plates 168 or 164 on upperplaten H.

Clamp plates 154 preferably have transversely arcuate clamping edges asshown at in FIG. 7. In the open position of the platens, edges 190 ofthe opposed clamp plates normally extend outwardly beyond the ends ofthe fingers on their respective platens. When platen H is moveddownwardly toward platen G, clamp members 154 first clamp the doublelayer of fabric therebetween. Further movement of platen H toward platenG causes overlapping of the fingers on platens G and H until the finalposition shown in FIG. 7 is reached. Each pair of plates 164 and 168 onupper platen H are spaced-apart a greater distance than similar pairs ofplates on lower platen G. Thus, pairs of plates 164 or 168 on lowerplaten G are respectively receivable between pairs of plates 168 or 164on upper platen H. The fingers on finger plates 164 and 168 on lowerplaten H form upwardly extending loops 26 in the fabric double layer.Loops 26 formed by each pair of plates 164 are transversely spaced fromloops 26 formed by each pair of plates 168 on lower platen G. Each pairof finger bars 168 on upper platen G, between which pairs of plates 164on lower platen G are received, form downwardly extending loops 28transversely-spaced from the upwardly extending loops formed by plates164 on lower platen G. Thus, each pair of plates 164 forms loops 28which are transversely-spaced with respect to loops 26 formed by plates168 on lower platen G and with respect to loops 28 formed by plates 168on upper platen H. Loops 26 formed by pairs of plates 164 on lowerplaten G are in longitudinal alignment with oppositely extending loops28 formed by pairs of plates 164 on upper platen H. With the fabricdouble layer separated into loop rows, elongated rigid rods 36 areinserted into the loop rows. Platen H is then moved upward relative toplaten G. Rods 36 will then securely hold the overlapped end portions ofthe fabric tightly together.

FIG. 8 shows how fingers 170 on finger plates 168 are transverselystaggered relative to fingers 165 on finger plates 164. As shown,fingers 170 are in longitudinal alignment with the spaces betweenfingers 165 and visa versa. FIG. 9 shows how the fingers trap aplurality of warp yarns in fabric double layer A to begin forcing fabricinto the spaces between opposed fingers to form loops 26 and 28 indouble layer A.

Finger plates 164 and 168 are shown in detail in FIGS. 10 and 11. Fingerplate 164 has a plurality of spaced-apart central loop forming fingers165 extending over the major length thereof. Obviously, any number offingers may be provided depending upon the width of the fabric and thedesired width of the loops to be formed. In the arrangement shown, thereare a total of 56 central fingers 165. Fingers 165 have a width of ninethirty-seconds inch and are spaced-apart by spaces 222 having a width ofseven thirty-seconds inch. Fingers 165 have concave terminal ends 224curved on a radius of five thirty-seconds inch. Fingers 165 are smoothlyrounded inwardly as at 226 and 228 sothat concave portion 224 extendsacross peaks 230 and 232 which are spaced-apart one-fourth inch. Thus,inwardly curved portions 226 and 228 extend inwardly from the side edgesof teeth 165 to peaks 230 and 232 a distance of one sixty-fourth inch.

A plurality of smaller intermediate fingers 165 are provided outwardlyof fingers 165. In the arrangement shown, there are a total of sixintermediate fingers 165, with three being at each side of fingers 165.Fingers 165 have a width of seven thrty-seconds inch and are separatedby spaces 236 having a width of five thirty-seconds inch. Fingers 165have concave terminal ends 238 curved on a radius of one-eighth inch.Fingers 165 are also smoothly curved inwardly towards peaks 240 and 242which are spaced-apart threesixteenths inch. Thus, fingers 165' are alsocurved inwardly from the side edges thereof toward peaks 240 and 242 adistance of one sixty-fourth inch.

A plurality of smaller terminal fingers are provided on the opposite endportions of finger plate 164. A total of 24 terminal fingers 165 areshown, with twelve at each opposite end portion of finger plate 164.Obviously, any number of the various fingers may be provided. Fingers165" have a width of five thirtyseconds inch and are separated by spaces246 having a a width of three thirty-seconds inch. Concave terminal endportions 248 of fingers 165" are curved on a radius of threethirty-seconds inch. Concave terminal end portions have peaks 250 and252 spaced-apart one-eighth inch. Thus, fingers 165" also curve inwardlytoward peaks 250 and 252 over a distance of one sixty-fourth inch fromeach opposite side edge of fingers 165".

Finger plate 168 also has a plurality of central fingers 170. In thearrangement shown, there would be a total of 56 central fingers 170.Fingers 170 are dimensioned and spaced in the same manner as describedwith respect to fingers 165. Finger plate 168 also has a plurality ofintermediate fingers 170' which are dimensioned and spaced in the samemanner as fingers 165'. In the arrangement shown, there are also a totalof six intermediate fingers 170 with three at each opposite side ofcentral fingers 170. Finger plate 168 has a plurality of terminalfingers 170" dimensioned and spaced in the same manner as fingers 165".However, there are a total of only 22 terminal fingers 170", with elevenat each side end portion of finger plate 168. In addition, the firstterminal finger 170" is spaced inwardly from opposite end edges 254 and256. The first of fingers 170" are spaced inward from terminal end edges254 and 256 by distance of three thirty-seconds inch. On the other hand,fingers 165" start flush with opposite end edges 258 and 260 of fingerplate 164. As shown in FIG. 12, peaks 230 and 232 on all of the fingersare smoothly rounded so that there are no sharp points which mightrupture the warp yarns of the fabric. In addition, the concave terminalportions of all the fingers are convexly rounded in a direction parallelto the longitudinal axis of the fabric as shown in FIG. 13.

With the arrangement described, finger plates 164 and 168 are positionedwith edges 254 and 258, and 256 and 260, in alignment with one another.Therefore, all of the fingers on plate 164 are aligned with spacesbetween the fingers on plate 168. Likewise, all of the fingers on plate168 are aligned with the spaces between fingers on plate 164.

The described finger plates make a fabric splice A as shown in FIG. 14.A plurality of central loops 26 and 28 have a width of around one-fourthinch. A plurality of intermediate loops 26' and 28 have a width ofaround three-sixteenths inch. Terminal loops 26" and 28" have a width ofaround one-eighth inch. With such an arrangement, a very tightone-eighth weave is formed at the opposite edge portions of the spliceto prevent unravelling of the edge portions of the fabric, and toprevent displacement of rods 36. Thus, the splice preferably has aplurality of relatively wide central loops extending alternately inopposite directions; a plurality of narrower intermediate loops; and aplurality of terminal loops substantially narrower than the central andintermediate loops.

FIGS. 15-17 show details of rod inserting means D. Only one rodinserting means D will be shown and described in detail, and it will berecognized that the opposite rod inserting means D on the opposite sideof splicer C is similarly constructed. Rod inserting means D includes apair of spaced-apart upright legs 266. A pair of horizontally extendingchannel beams 268 are welded or bolted to the inner surfaces of legs266. The three ends of beams 268 have a rectangular plate 270 weldedthereto. Plate 270 is welded or bolted to legs 50 on splicer C.

The upper ends of legs 266 are connected by a connecting plate 274.Angle members 276 are welded to the inner surfaces of the upper endportions of legs 266 and extend substantially horizontally. Anglemembers 276 are welded to upright support members 278 which are weldedto beams 268. An elongated guide support J has a plate 280 welded orbolted thereto and in turn welded to legs 266. The opposite end portionof guide support J may simply rest on an upper edge surface of plate 56on splicer C, or may be welded or bolted thereto.

Guide support J has a plurality of longitudinally extending spaced apartgrooves 284 therein. In the arrangement shown, there are a total ofseven grooves 284. However, any desirable number of grooves may beprovided depending upon the number of rods 36 which are to be used formaking a splice. The opposite side edges of guide support J haveelongated grooves 286 therein.

A pusher member K has a generally hollow rectangular cross-sectionalconfiguration as shown in FIG. 16. Pusher K includes top and bottomplates 288 and 290, and opposite side plates 292. Side plates 292 have aplurality of rotatable rollers 294 secured thereto and received ingrooves 286 so that pusher member K may roll along guide support J. Topplate 288 on pusher K has a plurality of downwardly extending pusherfingers 296 thereon received in grooves 284.

A plate 298 welded to legs 266 has a fastener 302 for anchoring an endof chain or cable 304. Chain or cable 304 extends around pulley 306 onrod 308 of a doubleacting double-ended cylinder 312 secured to atransverse support 314 welded across beams 268 and to a support 316 ofsplicer C. Cylinder 312 extends through hole 320 in roll support plate62. Chain or cable 304 then extends around pulley 322 secured to plate298. Chain or cable 304 is then secured to bottom plate 292 of pusher Kby fastening device 324. Chain or cable 304 then extends around pulley326 secured to a plate 328 on splicer C. Chain or cable 304 then extendsaround pulley 330 on the opposite end of cylinder rod 308. The otherterminal end of chain or cable 304 is fixed to an anchoring device as at332 on splicer C. A coil spring 334 may be provided to allow somemovement of anchor 332 to prevent over-tensioning of chain or cable 304.

A plurality of guide plates 336 have generally inverted trapezoidalconfigurations. Plates 336 have rods 338 on the upper ends thereofreceived in vertically elongated holes 340 in angle members 276. Thus,plates 336 are free to pivot about axes extending substantially parallelto the longitudinal axis of the fabric going through splicer C. Plates336 are also allowed slight vertical movement due to slightly elongatedholes 340 in angle members 276.

In operation of the device, when a double layer of fabric is clamped andlooped as shown in FIG. 7, cylinder 312 is energized so that pulleys 330and 306 move to the left in FIG. 15. This causes chain or cable 304 totravel from left to right between pulleys 322 and 326 so that pusher Kis shifted from left to right in FIG. 15. Elongated rods 36 previouslypositioned in grooves 284 are contacted by pusher fingers 296 and movedlongitudinally across guide support J into the loops in the fabricdouble layer. Guide plates 336 maintain rods 36 substantially horizontalas they are moved into the loops. Without guide plates 336, or someother similar guide means, rods 36 would be cantilevered too far outbeyond the end of guide support J, and might not extend through all ofthe loops in the fabric double layer. For extremely wide fabric, rodinserting means D is provided on opposite sides of splicer C forinserting a pair of rods into each row of loops. The inner portions ofthe rods will overlap slightly at the longitidinal centerline of thefabric double layer. For smaller width fabrics, it is possible to useonly one rod inserting apparatus. Once rods 36 are positioned in theloop rows, cylinder 312 is energized in the opposite direction toretract pusher K. With the arrangement of the present invention, it hasbeen found possible to make a fabric splice of the type described inonly around 3-5 seconds.

FIG. 18 shows flat fabric 350 travelling through splicer C in thedirection of arrow 352. Fabric holding bar 134 had previously beenextended so that fabric 350 is located between fabric holding bar 134and holding member 146. A leading end portion 354 of additional fabric356 is positioned across platen G and clamped by fabric holding bars 86and 88 against fabric holding members 142 and 144. When tail end portion358 of fabric 350 approaches splicer C, rolls 42 are stopped so that nomore fabric is fed into storage accumulator E of FIG. 2. Holding bar 134is then retracted to hold tail end portion 358 of fabric 350 againstholding member 146 as shown in FIG. 18. Platen H is then moved towardplaten G to form loops. Rod inserting means D is then operated to insertthe rods in the loops. Holding bars 86, 88 and 134 are then extended asufficient amount to free fabric end portions 354 and 358, while upperplaten H is moved upwardly away from lower platen G to free the splicedfabric for travel in the direction of arrow 350. Fabric 356 is thentravelling across rolls 66 as shown in FIG. 20.

As fabric 356 travels through the treatment apparatus, leading endportion 362 of additional fabric 364 is positioned across upper platenH, and held by fabric holding bars 134 and 136 against holding members146 and 148 in the manner shown in FIG. 21. When tail end portion 366 offabric 356 approaches splicer C, rolls 42 are again stopped and holdingbar 86 is retracted to clamp tail end portion 366 against holding member142 in the manner shown in FIG. 22. Upper platen H is again moved towardlower platen G for making a splice in the manner previously described.Holding bars 86, 134 and 136 are then extended to free end portions 362and 366, while upper platen H is moved away from platen G. Fabric 364 isthen travelling through splicer C in the manner shown in FIG. 23.

An additional fabric 370 has a leading end portion 372 held byholding-bars 86 and 88 ready for splicing to the tail end portion offabric 364. The procedural steps of FIGS. 18-23 may then be repeated forcontinuously splicing fabric together for processing.

Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to apreferred embodiment, it is obvious that equivalent alterations andmodifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the readingand understanding of this application. The present invention includesall such equivalent alterations and modifications, and is limited onlyby the scope of the claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. Apparatus for splicing overlapped fabric end portions defining afabric double layer having a longitudinal axis and a lapping planecomprising; clamping means for transversely clamping said double layerin longitudinally-spaced locations, loop forming means on opposite sidesof said double layer intermediate said clamping means for forming aplurality of loop rows in said double layer spaced-apart parallel tosaid longitudinal axis with each row having a plurality of loopsextending alternately in opposite directions out of said planetransversely of said axis and with adjacent loops in adjacent loop rowsextending in opposite directions out of said plane, and rod insertingmeans for inserting elongated substantially rigid rods in each of saidloop rows.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said rod inserting means includes aguide support for supporting a plurality of rods in spaced-apartrelationship, and a pusher reciprocable toward and away from said doublelayer transversely of said axis for pushing said rods longitudinallyalong said guide support and into said loop rows.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said rod inserting means includesopposite rod inserting devices positioned on opposite sides of saiddouble layer for simultaneously inserting rods into said loop rows fromboth sides of said double layer.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said loopforming means includesopposed platens positioned on opposite sides of said double layer, eachof said platens including a plurality of spaced-apart pairs ofspacedapart loop forming fingers, at least one of said platens beingmovable toward the other of said platens to overlap the fingers and formsaid loops in said double layer.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said clamping means comprisesspaced-apart opposed clamps on each of said platens, and yieldablebiasing means for yieldably biasing said clamps toward said double layerrelative to said platens.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said loop forming fingers haveconcave finger ends transversely of said longitudinal axis of saiddouble layer.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said finger ends are smoothlyoutwardly rounded in a direction parallel to said longitudinal axis.

8. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said fingers are in rows extendingtransversely of said longitudinal axis, fingers in adjacent ones of saidrows being staggered relative to one another, said fingers in said rowson one of said platens being staggered transversely of said longitudinalaxis relative to said fingers in said rows on the other of said platens.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said pairs of fingers on one of saidplatens are spaced-apart parallel to said longitudinal axis a distancesubstantially less than the transverse spacing between said pairs offingers on the other of said platens so that said pairs of fingers onsaid one platen are receivable between said pairs of fingers on saidother platen.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 and further including spaced-apart fabricholding bars on opposite sides of said double layer extendingtransversely of said longitudinal axis, and individual power means forselectively moving each of said holding bars toward and away from saiddouble layer.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said loop forming means includesmeans for forming a plurality of central loops having a predeterminedwidth and a plurality of terminal loops adjacent the side edges of saidfabric double layer having a width substantially less than saidpredetermined width.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said loop forming means includesmeans for forming a plurality of intermediate loops between said centraland terminal loops, said intermediate loops having a width intermediatethe widths of said central and terminal loops.

13. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said guide support has a pluralityof longitudinally extending spacedapart grooves therein for receipt ofsuch rods, and said pusher includes a plate having a plurality ofdownwardly extending pusher fingers thereon received in said grooves forpushing engagement with the outer ends of such rods.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein there is a support member abovesaid guide support, and a plurality of guide plates suspended from saidsupport member for maintaining such rods substantially horizontal duringmovement of the ends of such rods beyond the ends of said guide supportto facilitate insertion of such rods in each of such loop rows.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said guide plates are pivotallyconnected to said support member for pivotal movement about axesextending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of suchfabric.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the pivotal connections betweensaid guide plates and support member also provide for slight verticalmovement of said guide plates relative to said guide support.

17. The apparatus of claim 2 further including a double-actingdouble-ended cylinder for reciprocating said pusher, said cylinder beingconnected to said pusher by a cable and pulley mechanism, said cablebeing connected to said pusher intermediate the ends thereof and havingsaid ends anchored, one of said anchors including spring means forpermitting some movement of said cable to prevent over-tensioning.

18. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein one of said platens has a pluralityof alternate pairs of transverse slots receiving finger plates eachhaving a plurality of said loop forming fingers thereon in alignmentwith each other, and a plurality of additional pairs of spaced apartslots intermediate said alternate pairs of slots receiving additionalfinger plates each having a plurality of said loop forming fingersthereon in alignment with each other and staggered relative to said loopforming fingers on said first-mentioned finger plates.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the other of said platens has aplurality of slots therein aligned between the pairs of slots in saidone platen, said slots in said other platen receiving pairs of fingerplates having a plurality of alternate ones of said loop forming fingersthereon receivable between said pairs of finger plates on said oneplaten.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said other platen also has endslots receiving one finger plate having a plurality of said loop formingfingers thereon for cooperation with the end ones of said finger plateson said one platen.

fabric double layer adjacent the side edges thereof having a widthsubstantially less than the width of the central loops.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 further including a plurality ofintermediate loop forming fingers between said central and terminalfingers having a width intermediate the widths of said central andterminal fingers for forming a plurality of intermediate loops in thefabric double layer.

1. Apparatus for splicing overlapped fabric end portions defining afabric double layer having a longitudinal axis and a lapping planecomprising; clamping means for transversely clamping said double layerin longitudinally-spaced locations, loop forming means on opposite sidesof said double layer intermediate said clamping means for forming aplurality of loop rows in said double layer spaced-apart parallel tosaid longitudinal axis with each row having a plurality of loopsextending alternately in opposite directions out of said planetransversely of said axis and with adjacent loops in adjacent loop rowsextending in opposite directions out of said plane, and rod insertingmeans for inserting elongated substantially rigid rods in each of saidloop rows.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said rod inserting meansincludes a guide support for supporting a plurality of rods inspaced-apart relationship, and a pusher reciprocable toward and awayfrom said double layer transversely of said axis for pushing said rodslongitudinally along said guide support and into said loop rows.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 2 wherein said rod inserting means includes oppositerod inserting devices positioned on opposite sides of said double layerfor simultaneously inserting rods into said loop rows from both sides ofsaid double layer.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said loop formingmeans includes opposed platens positioned on opposite sides of saiddouble layer, each of said platens including a plurality of spaced-apartpairs of spaced-apart loop forming fingers, at least one of said platensbeing movable toward the other of said platens to overlap the fingersand form said loops in said double layer.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4wherein said clamping means comprises spaced-apart opposed clamps oneach of said platens, and yieldable biasing means for yieldably biasingsaid clamps toward said double layer relative to said platens.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 4 wherein said loop forming fingers have concavefinger ends transversely of said longitudinal axis of said double layer.7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said finger ends are smoothlyoutwardly rounded in a direction parallel to said longitudinal axis. 8.The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said fingers are in rows extendingtransversely of said longitudinal axis, fingers in adjacent ones of saidrows being staggered relative to one another, said fingers in said rowson one of said platens being staggered transversely of said longitudinalaxis relative to said fingers in said rows on the other of said platens.9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said pairs of fingers on one of saidplatens are spaced-apart parallel to said longitudinal axis a distancesubstantially less than the transverse spacing between said pairs offingers on the other of said platens so that said pairs of fingers onsaid one platen are receivable between said pairs of fingers on saidother platen.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 and further includingspaced-apart fabric holding bars on opposite sides of said double layerextending transversely of said longitudinal axis, and individual powermeans for selectively moving each of said holding bars toward and awayfrom said double layer.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said loopforming means includes means for forming a plurality of central loopshaving a predetermined width and a plurality of terminal loops adjacentthe side edges of said fabric double layer having a width substantiallyless than said predetermined width.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11wherein said loop forming means includes means for forming a pluralityof intermediate loops between said central and terminal loops, saidintermediate loops having a width intermediate the widths of saidcentral and terminal loops.
 13. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein saidguide support has a plurality of longitudinally extending spaced-apartgrooves therein for receipt of such rods, and said pusher includes aplate having a plurality of downwardly extending pusher fingers thereonreceived in said grooves for pushing engagement with the outer ends ofsuch rods.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein there is a supportmember above said guide support, and a plurality of guide platessuspended from said support member for maintaining such rodssubstantially horizontal during movement of the ends of such rods beyondthe ends of said guide support to facilitate insertion of such rods ineach of such loop rows.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said guideplates are pivotally connected to said support member for pivotalmovement about axes extending substantially parallel to the longitudinalaxis of such fabric.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the pivotalconnections between said guide plates and support member also providefor slight vertical movement of said guide plates relative to said guidesupport.
 17. The apparatus of claim 2 further including a double-actingdouble-ended cylinder for reciprocating said pusher, said cylinder beingconnected to said pusher by a cable and pulley mechanism, said cablebeing connected to said pusher intermediate the ends thereof and havingsaid ends anchored, one of said anchors including spring means forpermitting some movement of said cable to prevent over-tensioning. 18.The apparatus of claim 4 wherein one of said platens has a plurality ofalternate pairs of transverse slots receiving finger plates each havinga plurality of said loop forming fingers thereon in alignment with eachother, and a plurality of additional pairs of spaced apart slotsintermediate said alternate pairs of slots receiving additional fingerplates each having a plurality of said loop forming fingers thereon inalignment with each other and staggered relative to said loop formingfingers on said first-mentioned finger plates.
 19. The apparatus ofclaim 18 wherein the other of said platens has a plurality of slotstherein aligned between the pairs of slots in said one platen, saidslots in said other platen receiving pairs of finger plates having aplurality of alternate ones of said loop forming fingers thereonreceivable between said pairs of finger plates on said one platen. 20.The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said other platen also has end slotsreceiving one finger plate having a plurality of said loop formingfingers thereon for cooperation with the end ones of said finger plateson said one platen.
 21. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said platenshave a plurality of slots therein receiving finger plates each having aplurality of said loop forming fingers thereon, said loop formingfingers on each of said finger plates including a plurality of centralloop forming fingers of a predetermined width for forming a plurality ofcentral loops in the fabric double layer having a corresponding width,and a plurality of smaller terminal fingers on the opposite end portionsof said finger plates for forming a plurality of terminal loops in thefabric double layer adjacent the side edges thereof having a widthsubstantially less than the width of the central loops.
 22. Theapparatus of claim 21 further including a plurality of intermediate loopforming fingers between said central and terminal fingers having a widthintermediate the widths of said central and terminal fingers for forminga plurality of intermediate loops in the fabric double layer.